CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO || LEFT OUT TO HANG

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Glenn and Alex had distributed some supplies around the prison after he had re-bandaged her wound. Alex's gun was firmly in her grip as she walked beside Glenn. finally having a conversation about the governor, she wasn't sure if you could even call it a conversation, he asked a question, and she answered in a few words not wanting to give up too much, not wanting to be seen as vulnerable.

"that um- like panic attack you had... you said that wasn't to do with the governor?" He asked, his voice wavered unsure if it was a good idea to actually ask the question. Alex Looked over at him, knowing he was referring to the ptsd attack she'd had. it wasn't hard to tell what had happened with the governor was eating away at him. The way he struggled to keep his cool, he'd changed, he'd changed in the same way Alex had after what had happened to her in Afghan.

"I wasn't lying. things happen Glenn. what the governor did it's not new. it's always happened.. stop worrying about it" Glenn wasn't getting what he wanted from Alex, He wanted to be there for her, but he didn't want to push too hard. He remembered a conversation he'd heard Rick and Lori have, a few words of that conversation always seemed to be in the back of his mind.

<flash back 4 weeks ago>

"Rick I don't want anything to trigger her again, especially after losing Eli. we have to keep her safe" Lori explained a worried look on her face as she rubbed her bump, Rick nodded understandingly as he ran a hand through his hair.

"yeah I know I'll keep her safe, we aren't equipped to deal with it. or her back. if Eli was here maybe we could.." Glenn listened as he stood behind the stairs where Rick and Lori were talking. He tried tearing himself away, he wasn't trying to be disrespectful but if he could help, then he would. but all the conversation did was leave the Korean boy with more questions.

< flashback over>

"if you need anything Alex, I want to help" He offered a small smile as they walked through the door, Alex smiled back thankfully. she still found a part of her wondering how she'd gone her whole life believing people as nice as Glenn didn't exist, yet here he was, surviving the apocalypse. walking back into the common area of the prison Alex and Glenn saw Merle placing Ammo and Guns into a bag, The anger the pair felt towards the man almost growing by the second.

"Hey, you're not going" Glenn stated closing the door behind him after holding the door open for Alex almost automatically, but as soon as he caught sight of Merle his expression changed almost instantly.

"I don't need permission" Merle scoffed as he continued filling the bag with a shotgun, Alex rolled her eyes as she followed Glenn walking toward Merle. She didn't give a shit if he left, a part of her wanted him to. he was a prick. 

"I can't let you" Glenn stated, he was a leader. he was one of the ones in the group who would rise to the challenge when Rick and Daryl wasn't around, he was admired for that. Alex admired him for that she wasn't blind to the fact her uncle had become a saviour of sorts.

"you can't stop me" Merle challenged not even testing to look at Glenn as he continued packing the bag, Alex bit the inside of her cheek fighting the urge to raise her gun.

"I could shoot you" Alex shrugged, She didn't care if Merle left, If he got himself killed she couldn't give a Shit. What she did care about however was how him leaving could damage the group. Glenn turned Glancing at Alex almost warning her.

"If you're gonna live here it's gonna be on our terms" Maggie stated turning the corner into the room and backing up Alex and Glenn. Merle's jaw tightened as he picked up the bag turning to leave.

"if michonne can do it why can't you?" Maggie questioned, anger showing through her voice making Merle quickly turn and face her, not one single person aside from Daryl felt comfortable living with him, especially Alex and Glenn.

"cause it's my brother out there that's why. what's the matter with you all." He yelled, Looking around the group. his voice sending a shiver down Alex's spine as he walked toward her and Glenn.

"my uncles out there but I ain't acting like a fucking child like you." Alex Scoffed looking up at Merle as he approached them. Glenn stood forward between Alex and Merle in An attempt to keep the peace and put space between Merle and Alex, he was not letting Merle near her.

"sheriffs niece is a sheltered bitch. don't think Daryl didn't tell me how your uncle keeps you outta danger" He spat looking down at Alex, Anger rushed through her veins. her hand curling into a fist before it connected with his jaw. the force sending him stumbling back a few steps.

"Alex!" Glenn warned his hand going to her waist as Merle stumbled back, Glenn again forcing Alex behind him as Merle adjusted his footing his hand rubbing his jaw where Alex's fist had just connected. Her opposite hand rubbed her sore knuckles as Merle stepped toward them again, Glenn stood his ground Alex positioned behind him. anger thick throughout the room as Merle's eyes darkened staring at the couple.

"Maybe I should've beat you and left Glenn for the governor. Shown you how to treat a man" Merle scoffed Clenching his jaw, his face throbbing as he stepped closer to Glenn getting in his face. Glenn's jaw clenched as he desperately tried to stay calm. when it came to him and Alex, he had to be the one with the even temper. 

"I'm not gonna let you put them in danger" Glenn stated holding his ground as merle Got in his face, Alex's hand going to Glenn's Wrist Ready to get him out of the way of Merle lost it.

"not up already boy. This guy cops a feel of your woman. and you pussy out like this. Get outta my way" Merle warns, His words making Glenn suck in a breath and clench his Jaw. Maggie could feel the anger radiating from him from the other side of the room. those words echoed in his mind as if shooting a guilt-laced arrow through his chest. 

"No." Glenn continued to hold his ground, his heart pounding against his chest As Merle's eye's filled with anger, the man deeply trying to intimidate Glenn. in a split second Merle shoved Glenn into Alex Her hand fell from his wrist as she fell against the wall, and pain rushed through her side.

Glenn steadied himself charging into Merle, Alex's hand wrapping around her waist, where her wound was located pain pulsating through her side as she sucked in a deep breath trying to control herself. Glenn's Grunts caught her attention, Looking up the two men had fallen down the few stairs their grunts filling her ears.

Merle overpowered Glenn, Hand wrapped around Glenn's throat. Alex rushed towards Them. Pushing her pain Aside all she saw was Merle Choking Glenn. In autopilot she rushed toward them, Her arm wrapping around Merle's throat, her free hand pushing against the back of his head. cutting off his airflow as she tightened the grip of her arm around his throat. Merle gasped for oxygen His hand still wrapped around Glenn's throat the pain, in Alex's side not letting her use all her strength before she heard a gunshot. The gunshot slowed the brawl giving Glenn a chance to push Merle's hand from his neck. all eyes falling on Beth who was holding a gun to the ceiling.

"let me go" Merle huffed his Elbow connecting with Alex's side causing a pained grunt to fall from her lips as she released him, falling back into Maggie. Glenn's Fist connected with Merle's jaw where Alex's had Causing Merle to fall back off of Glenn allowing him to stand up.

Immediately noticing Alex's pained expression, her hand wrapped around her waist. Concern filled his eyes as he approached Alex, his hand gently moving hers revealing a few drops of blood seeping through her shirt. Anger rushed through his body.

"watch him," he ordered his eyes darting between the two Greene girls as carl rushed into the room gun in hand. Carls's eyes immediately fell on his cousin noticing her pained expression he rushed toward her and Glenn.